Love Is Not Lost

by Nikki Bolvair

  Nothing.

  I sighed. “Thank you, Tyler!” yelling at him from the classroom’s entrance.

  He didn't turn back around but he waved and shouted, “Have a great day, Faith!”

  I growled. “It's Daniels!” I yelled at him. “D.A.N.I.E.L.S!”

  He just laughed and kept going.

  I slouched when I saw other students in the hallway staring at me. Embarrassed, I opened the heavy door and slipping inside.

  Great.

  They probably thought I was crazy. It was either that, or I was having a gender crisis. I was so not looking forward to roll call.

  Chapter 5

  I sat down at the back of the class, trying not to glance at anyone. I didn't want to give the impression that I was the friendly sort, but I must have not been giving off the right vibes, because almost immediately a guy sat down on one side while a girl took the seat on the other.

  The guy had long brown hair which brushed against his ears and parted in the middle, giving him a Jonathan Brandis look.

  One of his ears were pierced, and he had smoldering eyes. He wore a dress shirt, unbuttoned, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and sporting a black t-shirt underneath. The dark-wash jeans and brown signature shoes gave him a higher class look, contradicting the bad boy effect that he seemed to be going for.

  He could be considered hot, but I wasn't looking for hot right now.

  Anyways, I glanced over to the blonde girl and thought that she might actually be with him. So, no looking whatsoever.

  She, too, was dressed in a similar fashion, with a black cardigan and sporting a hot pink tank underneath, dark-washed jeans, and brown boots that came up to her calf. Silver hoop earrings adorned her ears while a million rings decorated her fingers. She was definitely going for the same image he was.

  Her eyes flashed the same smoldering look, and it was then that I realized they were either twins or related.

  They both let out a sigh at the same time, in what seemed to be a relief, as they settled in. The girl turned to face me and leaned over to talk to the guy.

  Really? I thought, frowning. Couldn't they have sat together, and not by me? They were being rude by putting me between them when they apparently wanted to talk.

  “I can't believe you did that,” The girl whispered with disbelief. Then she started to giggle, “I mean, pouring your whole water bottle on him should have been enough, but to-!”

  “Wendy!” the guy said, reprimanding her while giving her ‘the look’ to keep quiet, glancing at me before looking back to her. “Not here.”

  Wendy got the hint and nodded, making a movement with her fingers across her lips to zip them. She then sheepishly turned to me and smiled.

  “Hi!” she piped, “I'm Wendy, and this guy next to you is Kane,” She said, pointing to him. “He's my brother. He's cool.”

  “Hey,” he said, giving me a nod as he shifted in his seat to face me fully.

  “You were the one with Tyler out in the hall?" he asked, snapping his finger and pointing, “Daniels, right? That's what you yelled, right?”

  “Yeah,” Wendy said, tilting her head to the side, eyeing me. “How do you know Tyler? Didn't you just move here?”

  I sighed, looking down to the front of the classroom, wondering where the professor was, as I ignored them.

  “Hey, aren't you going to talk to us?” Wendy asked. “We're good people, despite all the gossip. We just get a little-”

  “Intense, sometimes,” Kane finished for her. “Come on,” he coaxed, trying to get me to talk. “Talk to us.”

  I dropped my shoulders and turned to look at him. He was giving me the pleading eyes, and I caved.

  “Yes, my name is Daniels, and yes, I did just move here.”

  “And Tyler?” Wendy prompted.

  I rolled my eyes. “Is a nuisance.” Wendy put her hand over her mouth and laughed.

  Kane chuckled, his eyes dancing in amusement. “I'll have to tell him you said that. He's not one to mess with.” Then he looked me over carefully. “But he seemed to tolerate it with you.” He leaned in close. “Why is that, Daniels? You two a thing or something?”

  “Yeah,” Wendy chimed in, her eyes curious. “Are you guys going out or something?” She looked me over. “In fact, you seem to be a little young. How old are you?”

  I shook my head and pressed my lips in irritation, willing the door to open, and the ever-so-absent professor to walk in. Couldn't people just mind their own business?

  “Well?” Kane persisted, trying to grab my attention, but I was saved.

  “Hello class, my name is Mr. White,” the professor said, walking in and straight over to his desk. Kane and Wendy shifted to look forward, much to my relief. “Please open your book to page five. Let's talk equations.” His t-shirt had a wet spot on it, and I looked accusingly towards the two beside me. Suddenly, they seemed to be busy with heads stuck in a book.

  After class was over, I quickly headed to my next one, but guess who followed me? Yep, the irritating two who flanked my side.

  “So,” Kane started as he kept pace with me. “You never did explain anything.”

  “And you’re ignoring us again," Wendy pointed out, pulling her bag higher up on her shoulder.

  I was frustrated. Why me? Why couldn't they leave me alone? Was I different? Was being seen with Tyler that big of a deal? I was sure this could be considered borderline stalking, but then I wondered, was there something about Tyler that he was reluctant to share with me? Like maybe he was the college bad boy or Mr. Popular?

  I stopped and turned to them because it was obvious to me, and to anyone else listening in, that these two were not going to leave me alone anytime soon.

  I fixed my stare on Wendy as she paused mid-step, grinning. I bet she thought that she was finally getting to me.

  “I'll give if you give," I told her.

  “Ooo, I like this chick," her brother announced from beside us.

  “Shut it, Kane.” We both said, not looking away from one another.

  She nodded to herself before asking, “How do you know Tyler?”

  “His brother Lincoln threw a ball at my head a few days ago. My turn. What is Tyler's status here?”

  Wendy frowned. “Important. Are you two dating?”

  I scoffed. “No. Are you in his circle of friends?”

  “Yes!” Kane popped in.

  “Good. We're done here.” And I turned to walk away.

  “Wait? What?” I heard Kane ask from behind me.

  “You’re friends,” I yelled back. “Ask him your questions.”

  ***

  When lunch time came around, Tyler was waiting for me outside the classroom.

  He smirked. “I see my directions worked OK.” I snorted and walked with him, shifting my bag on my shoulder. “Yeah, but being seen with you has given me a headache,” I grouched.

  Tyler stopped walking and looked at me with a determined look. “Who messed with you? Was it Tucker? Did Tucker give you problems? Was it-”

  “Kane,” I said, interrupting him.

  He furrowed his eyebrows, “Kane? Kane was bothering you?”

  “Yeah,” I said, walking again as Tyler took strides to catch up. “He talks too much.”

  Tyler chuckled while he threw an arm over my shoulders. “He does talk too much, but his sister,” he shook his head, “she's the interrogator. All Wendy wants is info.”

  I shrugged his arm off and kept walking beside him. “Well, all they wanted was info on you.”

  He again shook his head when we stopped at his jeep. His eyes were full of mischief. “No, my dear, dear, Daniels. They want info on you.” Then he gave a tilt of his head and smirked, “And our relationship.”

  “Uh, you're delusional. This,” I said, glaring at him while pointing in between us, “is anything but a relationship.”

  “We'll see, Daniels,” he said as both of us climbed into the jeep. I frowned as I sat and heard him mutter, “I'll break pas
t those walls that you've formed.”

  We were both silent after he drove out of the parking lot. It gave me time to think and calculate the situation. Tyler wasn't bad. He was just older and more intimidating. A guy used to getting what he wanted, and he'd made me his project. Even though he joked about a ‘relationship’, it's more of a brother and sister one...I think. Even though he is hot, he's was way older than me. He couldn't possibly be interested, right? I mean, I was almost seventeen. He was, like, twenty. He could get into a lot of trouble if he messed around with me.

  I snickered. If I let him.

  I looked over at him as he drove. His lips were pulled tight with frustration, while his eyes were intent on the road. He was upset, and I had made him that way. I couldn't help being defensive. It went with the territory of being a foster child. You didn't let people in. They always made promises, but seldom had they been kept.

  He must have felt my stare, because he glanced at me then back to the road. “What? Do I have marker on my face or something?”

  I turned away from him to look at the road ahead. I didn't know why I was going to share this with him, but I felt like he deserved something for the way I've treated him. I could offer him this little bit of myself as a peace offering. He was going to find out anyways. I took a deep breath and hoped he wouldn't treat me different afterwards. “I...I am, I mean I was, a foster child until Officer Brady.” I closed up after that and waited for his response. He was silent. We pulled into the local diner and found a parking spot.

  He turned out of the jeep and looked solemnly at me. “I can't imagine being a foster child.” I looked away, my heart aching at his words and the look in his sad eyes. I felt a hand on my chin as he turned my face back towards him. He cupped the sides of my face and whispered, “I'm sorry,” he leaned close and wiped a stray tear from my cheek, “I'm sorry, Faith.”

  I pulled away, wiping the rest of my tears. “Yeah, well, so am I.”

  He nodded, realizing that the moment was over. “Let’s go eat.”

  When we entered the diner, I saw booths lining the walls, and tables filling in the extra space. Tyler turned me towards the right, and it was there that I saw the irritating twins, along with a few other people I didn't know. They were sitting in an extended corner booth, big enough to fit everyone.

  Walking beside Tyler, I leaned in and asked, “So you really are friends with those two?” he chuckled as we came up to the booth.

  “Hey, guys,” he said, confirming my suspicions. He had me scoot in next to Wendy before he slid in next to me, resting his arm along the seat behind my head.

  “Nice to see you again, Daniels,” Wendy greeted and smirked. She leaned over to look past me towards Tyler and said, “It would have been nice for an introduction earlier, hmm, Tyler?”

  A slightly older girl with curly brown hair waved her hand in the air dismissively.

  “I know all about Daniels, Faith Brady. My brothers can't stop talking about her," she announced with a smile before holding her hand out for me to shake. I didn't correct her on my name. There was no point. I didn't want to have to explain. So I didn't. I would just let them think whatever they wanted. “Raina McGuire,” she said as we shook hands. After we let go, she pointed over to Tyler. “This idiot here is my younger brother.”

  “Hey!” Tyler said without any heat.

  Kane, who was on the outside like Tyler, wrapped his arm around Raina and chuckled. “You know me, but just so you know, I'm dating the sister.”

  I couldn't help myself. I chuckled. Then the hot blonde haired guy sitting next to Wendy reached over and shook my hand, smiling at me. “Peter, and I'm with Wendy.”

  I couldn't help myself. “Aw, Peter and Wendy.” I heard a few snickers. I leaned in and whispered, “Have you taken her flying yet?”

  Wendy leaned away from me and smacked my shoulder.

  I reached up to rub the spot mouthing an “Ouch.”

  “Yeah -yeah-yeah,” Peter groused, shaking his head. “Like we haven't heard that one before.”

  As promised, Tyler paid for my lunch but, before we left Raina spoke up.

  “Wait up, guys!”

  We both stopped at the diner’s doors as the others caught up. “Are we still going to Denny's pond this weekend?" she asked, smirking. “Doing a little swimming? Having a little bonfire magic?”

  Wendy spoke up, opening the door. “Yeah,” she stated, as she rolled her eyes like it was a no-brainer, while we all followed her out. “Tradition, Raina, tradition! We do it every year. We're doing it this year. No excuses.”

  Confused, I turned to Tyler and whispered, “What are you going to do?” Then I leaned back shaking my head. “Never mind. You stole a hearse when you were thirteen. I don't want to know what you’re doing this weekend.”

  “Are you ever going to let that go?" he asked as he gave me a look.

  “Don't try to get out of it, Daniels!” I heard Wendy call out as we walked away. “You better be there!”

  “I'll pass,” I called back.

  “Tyler,” I heard Raina, “make sure she comes on Sunday! Let her know what she needs to bring and don't let Lincoln and Kayden run her off.”

  She turned around and gave me a huge smile. “I like her!”

  I shook my head as my lips tilted upwards. I got into the jeep and straightened my face. “What have you gotten me into, Tyler?”

  Chapter 6

  During that whole week, I ate lunch with them. Tyler would pay for me, and we’d sit in the same spot at the diner.

  All they ever talked about was what was going to happen that weekend. I zoned out most of the time, thinking about all the work I had to do. Tyler, on the drive every morning, would try to talk to me, but most of the time I was silent. He did, however, tell me each time we got out of the truck that I was eating lunch with them. I learned a lesson after the second day when I ditched him and went to the library in one of those quiet rooms to study. He found me, and his entire entourage followed, smuggling lunch inside.

  It freaked me out! I didn’t want to get into trouble for having food in there, so the next day I waited for him.

  On Friday, I finally realized I wasn’t going to get away with not going to their ‘tradition’. The McGuire clan liked to get their way, so... I sighed and caved.

  Saturday, I stayed at home catching up on work, but I did peek out the front windows every so often, trying to catch a glimpse of one of the three McGuire boys, but I never saw them. I did, however, see their mom when she opened the garage. It was a clean one, which was unusual. Most garages I’d seen were messy. There was a tan sheet that covered, what I assumed must have been an old car, and a quad bike. Mrs. McGuire kept peeking into areas of the garage like she was searching for something, before I guess she gave up, rolled the garage door back down and went inside.

  I wondered what she was looking for so persistently.

  When Sunday night came, Tyler picked me up along with his brothers. They had me bring a long stick, a towel, a small hand-held net and a flashlight. I was worried about what they had planned. I knew something was up because no bathing suits were allowed. It was a pond.

  A pond.

  Who went to a pond and didn’t swim? So I was banking on this being a skinny-dipping adventure, but the net and the stick? I had no clue. The flashlight, though, was self-explanatory.

  When we got close, we turned down a dirt road with a farmhouse up on the right. As we drove past, the glow of the bonfire on the left lit the way towards the pond. It looked like liquid fire with Tiki torches burning all around, giving it just enough of a glow to see in some areas, but not in others. Trucks and cars were parked backwards towards the fire, and people were milling around, pulling out coolers.

  “How many are coming to this thing?” I asked, looking out the window, counting at least four vehicles already.

  “We should be it," said Kayden, sitting in the back with Lincoln.

  “Yeah, it should be my friends, us and a few other
s from the senior class,” Tyler replied as he pulled up to the fire.

  “And what are we doing exactly?” I questioned as I swung out.

  Kayden, who got out on my side, pulled out their cooler and grinned. “You'll see, Daniels.”

  I groaned, and hefted the stupid stuff they had ordered I bring, as I followed the guys over to the rest of the group. At least no one else was sporting a swimsuit. I would have looked really out of place if I was meant to bring one. The guys said not to, but we all know how little boys like to play tricks. I was worried I had been punked.

  “Hey, Daniels! Glad you could make it!” Kane called out, coming towards us with Raina anchored to his hip. “Are you ready for tonight?”

  “I don't know. Nobody seems to want to tell me what we're doing. What are we doing, Kane?”

  Raina laughed, waving her hand in the air, dismissing the aggressive question. “Oh boy, no one wanted to tell you because you're a city girl. I know. I used to live where you and your family moved from. Most of us back home didn't get into the rivers and streams, but some of us did and we went hunting for-“

  “Frogs,” I said softly, interrupting her. “In Witchback Springs.”

  “Yeah,” she said before going quiet. “Did you ever do that?”

  “No,” I said, my voice cracking. “My brother did.”

  “You have a brother?” Lincoln asked, puzzled. “I thought you were an only child?”

  “Shut up, Lincoln,” Tyler growled.

  “I did too," Kayden chimed in. “The Brady's didn't have a son. In fact,” he questioned, turning to look at me, “they didn't have a daughter either.”

  “Leave it,” Tyler said again, thrusting another cooler into Lincoln’s hands. “Do me a favor and take this down over there.”

  “Hey, guys!” Wendy called from her perch on the end of a truck bed. She waved her arms in the air, trying to get our attention. “Let's get this show on the road!”

  With that, everyone made their way over to her but not without Raina giving me an unsure look.

  While the boys dropped the coolers into the tailgate of another truck, Tyler hopped up with Wendy and Peter. Standing tall, he called out for everyone to be quiet.